ABC vs. ABC: Excited Over Obama Inaugural; Not So Much With Bush

Proving that four years can make quite a difference, ABC's “Good Morning America” featured an excited, hyperbolic open for the show's special edition on the inauguration of Barack Obama. As the program began last Tuesday, an ABC announcer trumpeted, “This morning, a new dawn: Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. A new face from a new generation. Driven by an audacity to hope.” [Audio available here.]

So, how did ABC begin “Good Morning America” on January 20, 2005, the day George W. Bush was sworn in for a second term? A voice simply announced, “This is a special edition of 'Good Morning America.' The second inauguration of George W. Bush.” That's it. In contrast, the Obama open heaped generous praise on the new Democratic president. “The nation's capital, filled to capacity. A journey of millions, fueled by hope and the shared dreams of a renewed America,” the unidentified person exclaimed.

Cutting in clips of Obama speeches, the announcer continued, “And a call to overcome challenges not seen in generations...Now, live, a special edition of 'Good Morning America' from Washington D.C., the inauguration of Barack Obama.” The best thing that can be said about the brief 2005 open is this: GMA followed the old admonition that many mothers give their children. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

For more on the January 20, 2009 GMA, see a earlier NewsBusters post:

A transcript of the two contrasting show opens follows:

GMA
7am tease
1/20/2005

ABC ANNOUNCER: This is a special edition of 'Good Morning America.' The second inauguration of George W. Bush. Live from the Library of Congress, in Washington D.C., Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer and Peter Jennings.

GMA
7am tease
1/20/2009

ABC ANNOUNCER: This morning, a new dawn: Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. A new face from a new generation. Driven by an audacity to hope.

PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA: They said this day would never come.

ANNOUNCER: It has. It's here.

OBAMA: Change has come to America.

ANNOUNCER: The nation's capital, filled to capacity. A journey of millions, fueled by hope and the shared dreams of a renewed America.

OBAMA: Yes we can.

ANNOUNCER: And a call to overcome challenges not seen in generations.

OBAMA: I stand here as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure. That the dreams of our founders will live on in our time.

ANNOUNCER: Now, live, a special edition of "Good Morning America" from Washington D.C., the inauguration of Barack Obama.